From the founding of Rome in 753 B.C. (B.C.E.) through the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D. (C.E.), the ancient Romans made historical, political, and cultural advancements that had a lasting impression on Western Civilization. The representative democracy during the Roman Republic provided a foundation for the government of modern United States and many other countries. In addition, ancient Romans were responsible for some of history's most-prized works of art and architecture. Christianity, which began during the Roman Empire, became a major world religion, and continues to be so.